Workshop “New experience in implementation of Article 4.7 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the Danube Region”

Posted by Andrea Vranovska, Monday, 23rd July 2018 @ 9:13 am

The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) Priority Area 4 “to restore and maintain the quality of waters” (PA4) and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) are jointly organizing the workshop “New experience in implementation of Article 4.7 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the Danube Region”.

The one-day event will take place on 12th September 2018 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Background:

Within the Common Implementation Strategy for the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive, the Guidance Document No. 36 on “Exemptions to the Environmental Objectives according to Article 4(7) Water Framework Directive (WFD)” was endorsed by EU Water Directors at their meeting in December 2017. The document focuses on new modifications to the physical characteristics of surface water bodies, alterations to the level of groundwater, or new sustainable human development activities. In order to determine whether Article 4(7) WFD tests need to be applied, a checklist using a four-step approach to establishing project level WFD compliance has been developed by JASPERS. The tool is currently being tested on concrete cases, with a view to widen its application on project preparation assistance and future training activities.

Objectives and expected outcomes:

The workshop will provide a platform to discuss experiences and challenges with the implementation of Article 4(7) WFD in EU Member States of the Danube River Basin. Session 1 will provide an overview of the Guidance document as well as a presentation of the JASPERS checklist tool. Methodological aspects as well as concrete examples and case studies related to Article 4(7) WFD implementation will be presented in session 2. Session 3 is dedicated to focused discussion of Article 4(7) WFD implementation in different sectors such as hydropower, flood protection, navigation and infrastructure projects. Taking into account results of Workshop discussions, conclusions and recommendations will be drawn in order to further support the practical knowledge and application of Article 4(7) WFD.